The Ghost Brigades
by John Scalzi
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.50 You Save: $5.49 (69%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.86 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Ghost Brigades
Book Review: Some Flaws But Still Good
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is set in the same universe as Scalzi's Old Man's War (which I haven't read yet). While at least one of the main characters from OMW appears here, this is not a continuation of the first book per se. In a nutshell, humanity is under attack from various fronts aided by a human traitor. The traitor's mind imprint is copied onto a soldier's (Jared Dirac) newly-formed body and he goes about his military duties, initially unaware that he is anything out of the ordinary. As the traitor's memories start to surface, Jared finds himself a key player in the plot to destroy humanity.
The life of the future soldier described in this book is reminiscent of Starship Troopers, so if you liked that book you'll likely enjoy Ghost Brigades. There were some errors in the text (spelling mostly) and some inconsistencies and lack of description (I never got a good feel for what the aliens looked like) but overall this was a good story. While it was set in the distant future, the setting wasn't so "alien" that the reader has a difficult time getting immersed in the story.
Despite being new to the series, I did not find myself left out because I didn't read the first book. But, based on my enjoyment of this book, I plan on reading the first and the upcoming sequel.
Book Review: The Ghost Brigades
Summary: 5 Stars
I've only read a few of the reviews of this book before deciding to read the book itself. I really enjoyed the first book, but was a bit hesitant to start a sequel with more of the same. More of the same would not be a bad thing, I just wanted to read something different before returning to this series.
Although set in the same universe, The Ghost Brigades was very different. This story has far more depth to it than the expected intense battle scenes Scalzi did so well with in the first book. We are given a glimpse of a threat that could result in the extermination of all humanity. We are introduced to Jared Dirac, a new member of the special forces and a pawn on a big chessboard. The role he plays (and is forced to play) and the changes to his personality is described in a very skillful fashion. He learns to make choices where there are no choices. The missions that special forces are given are very intense and brutal.
I really had trouble setting this book down. I really wasn't sure how it would all turn out and I wanted to know. In my opinion, this sequel surpasses the first book. I'm ready to try another of this series to see if Scalzi can hit yet one more home run.
Book Review: Come on get involved til the mystery is solved
Summary: 3 Stars
This doesn't really follow Old Man's war as a sequel. It's written third person throughout, the dialog is cheesier than ever, and the jokes stink. The technology reminds me of Robert J Sawyer, and the fact that this is supposed to be well into the future is not very convincing because of all the 20/21st century influence. I also noticed that the BrainPal concept doesn't fit in quite as well with the ghost brigade, who are more hardcore and less likely to use cheesy marketing names than the main character of OMW. The combat scenarios are actually better than OMW, but even those lack detail and are not convincing. There was also a division of the Ghost Brigades that was just...a really goofy human adaptation, but I don't want to blow it. Things like this make me question how seriously I'm supposed to take the story. One thing this story does do is explain loopholes (like how SmartBlood prevents STDs and why all of the Scientist surnames taken are of European decent), of course you have to wait until the end, but it does eventually answer questions the observant reader will ask. Not a bad read, but not essential either. Several convenient character saves for this story make it more dull than its predecessor.Book Review: Life with purpose
Summary: 4 Stars
Having a purpose in life sounds good - as long as it's your own. Scalzi's "Ghost Brigades" don't have that luxury. These men and women are built for the army's purpose, to fight and usually to die. Jared Dirac, around whom the story revolves, lives not just someone else's purpose, he thinks with someone else's mind, too.
That someone, Boutin, has turned traitor to all the human worlds. By recreating his mind in Jared, the defense forces hope to understand, then defeat that betrayal. Given that premise, Scalzi sustains a high energy level, right to Jared's heroic end. Although drawn from the same world as his earlier "Old Man's War," this book stands well on its own. Newcomers to the series can hit the ground running, but returning readers will enjoy the extra background established in the previous book.
"Ghost Brigades" comes across as a strong story in itself. "Old Man's War" is a tough act to follow, though. For me, it set a new landmark in SF - and set the bar so high that even Scalzi has trouble achieving the height that he reached there. Still, it's well written and enjoyable, and a welcome addition to Scalzi's universe.
-- wiredweird
Book Review: Amazingly human
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd like to add my own 5 stars to this amazing series that started in Old Man's War. I have to say I didn't expect the story to work it's magic on me the way it had. I thought it would be like the space operas of Peter F. Hamilton (who, btw, also writes great space operas and is one of my long favorites). I was wrong. It was profoundly more human - the plot is truly driven by the characters. While the writing style is relaxed and flows easily and beautifully. I read each of the books in only short periods of time, neither getting confused nor getting tired (because I didn't need to access the deepest branches of my BrainPal often). Yet despite that, the books provided a rich experience. The twists and plots were not convoluted as to lose the reader, but are nonetheless as exciting and surprising. The characters come alive with their own philosophical dilemmas not far from what we might experience.
I'll definitely miss John Perry and Jane Sagan, but I'll look forward to reading more about Zoe in the upcoming "Zoe's Tale".
This is a great series, and John Scalzi is a great writer. They come highly recommended.